A Multi-branch Exchange Method for Distribution Loss Minimization

Abstract

This paper presents a multi-branch exchange method for reconfiguration of distribution systems to reduce their line losses. The method closes and opens several switches simultaneously in each branch exchange operation to expand the search neighborhood. The switches to be closed are selected as the intermediate systems will be meshed configuration. Sequential branch opening method can be applied to open the switches to obtain the radial configuration efficiently. Test examples show the effectiveness of the proposed method in the case of double branch exchange.